ARLA has hit out at plans to create a private sector licensing scheme in Cardiff shortly before Wales introduces a compulsory licensing scheme of landlords and agents covering the whole country – which will be administered by the same city council.

David Cox, managing director of ARLA, said it was “illogical” for Cardiff Council to launch a new additional licensing scheme so shortly before the introduction of WALLS (the Welsh Agent and Landlord Licensing Scheme).

He said: “We would strongly argue that Cardiff Council should allow WALLS to be implemented and properly evaluated before creating potentially an entirely unnecessary secondary layer of local licensing.

“Indeed, it is important to remember that imposing multiple layers of additional compliance on landlords will only increase the costs of operating a rental portfolio, which in turn will result in a reduction in supply of properties in the designated area and thus increased rents for tenants.”

Cox made his points in a letter responding to a consultation by Cardiff on its plans to reintroduce an additional licensing scheme.

He said that ARLA questions the council’s lawful ability to do that.